Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Summary:Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

MY REVIEW:If you could see my face right now, you’d see a rather sheepish expression. I’ll admit to you that any time someone mentions environmentalism or “going green” I sort of cringe. Then, I think to myself, “another fanatic” and dismiss the entire subject matter. I even hesitated to blog a book related to the subject! I owe Michael Abbate a heartfelt apology and will tell you right now that his book, Gardening Eden, has made me reconsider several things in an entirely new way!

Gardening Eden shares Michael Abbate’s own spiritual journey as he matures as a Christian and begins to consider what the future holds for his children and their children. He doesn’t approach caring for our environment from a hysterical point of view, but from a biblical standpoint that begins with God’s instruction to His first two created beings in the Garden of Eden. He actually asks the reader to consider living responsibly on our ever-more-crowded planet as a form of worship. Practical choices like car-pooling, recycling, growing your own garden and cooking meals at home are simple things that can be incorporated into every day living, and over time will make a positive impact on the environment. With each idea Abbate shares, he gives examples and illustrations from his own spiritual journey and shares some rather eye-opening statistics from his years of research on the subject.

Bottom line – when it comes to taking care of the environment, it isn’t a blame-game. It is, instead, a matter of seeking God’s will and direction in every part of our life and then living responsibly within our own homes and families. We are to honor God by caring for our planet and not making selfish choices that cause harm to ourselves and those around us. As much wisdom and as many facts as Michael Abbate shares in his book, Gardening Eden, he goes one step further and makes it personal. He shares his heart, his continuous desire to learn more and make changes along the way, and most importantly – he encourages others to live lives focused on Christ and worshiping Him in every area of daily living.

I have an extra copy to give away, so if you leave your comment and contact information, you can be entered to win!Author Bio:A nationally recognized expert in “green” development strategies, Mike Abbaté is a founder of GreenWorks, an award-winning landscape architecture design firm. He frequently speaks to students and leaders about practical ways to minimize the impact of building and landscape design on natural resources. Abbaté’s work has been featured in national magazines such as Metropolis and Landscape Architecture and in many local newspapers and trade publications. He and his wife, Vicki, have two adult daughters and live near Portland, Oregon.

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Disclaimer

I just wanted to state clearly here on my blog that the books I review are provided to me in exchange for my opinion and thoughts. I am a member of two blog alliances and I work directly with publicists and publishers at their request to review a variety of Christian fiction and non-fiction books. I receive no compensation other than free copies of the books to read, and when a give away is offered, that copy of the book is also provided by the publisher for that exact purpose.

I give my opinions both positively and negatively and will continue to do so as time permits and as I am able. I do this because I love to read and I love to share my thoughts with others who love good books and Christian stories.